Parsloes 1928 nearly

Bournemouth wasn't a failure. The crowds held up well across both years and it was well promoted - separate branding etc. Sure the experiment only lasted two years but I don't think for a second anyone connected with the Buccs would brand it a failure.

Yes but riding against their peers. Trust me I was in a stadium when a 15 year old riding in a senior meeting crashed and it was so bad (at the time) the Police had to attend to treat as a (potential) fatal accident. It was not something I'd ever want to repeat. Mercifully the lad made a full recovery but it could have been very different..

Noit sure what you mean when you refer to the "amateur league"..?

THAT made you laugh..???

It's true. When Ed Kennett was a 16 year old I really did think he'd be a future World Champ (don't me wrong I'm STILL a massive fan of Eddie's, but guess I may not find my prediction on that one's going to come true...). Not dis-similar with Lewis Bridger and we wait to see re. young Tai. But Michael Lee really DID achieve: and the speed of his rise from 16 year old NL debutant to top of the country and top of the world will, one would now have to assume, surely NEVER be matched again...

I certainly think there are some interesting ideas put forward in this posting...

Does the Red Lodge have to go into hibernation for the winter with no more visits 'til March of the BFC..?!

Yep funny enuff that was the second match in a double header and the first match was Berwick's best ever performance at Crayford just losing by 7..! The hapless Comets though succumbed to the only ever full maximum defeat in the classic 13 heats format: Crayford 65 (Paul Woods 12[M]; Alan Sage 9+3[PM]; Steve Naylor 12[M]; Laurie Etheridge 8+4[PM]; Les Rumsey 11+1[PM]; Alan Johns 6+3[PM]; Mick Pither 7+2[PM]) Workington 12 (Des Wilson 3; Ian Robertson 4; Kevin Clapham 1; Wayne Jackson 3; Greg Irving 0; Alan Armstrong 0; Tony Brooks 0) And the next year in 1981 it wasn't far off from happening again!! Crayford 63 (Barry Thomas 11+1[PM]; Mick Pither 9+3[PM]; Laurie Etheridge 10+2[PM];Mike Spinks 12[M]; Alan Sage 9+3[PM]; Trevor Barnwell 7+2[PM]; Keith Pritchard 5) Workington 15 (Wayne Jackson 8; Terry Kelly 1; Dave Blackburn 2; Guy Wilson 1; John Frankland 2; Des Wilson 1)

Hmm, wouldn't it have been clearer to have posted that this meeting was cancelled..!

Berwick always were very poor travellers to London Rd.!!!

Personally if there's going to be a format change I'd favour the 'traditional' 13 heats format. But really that HAS to be on the basis there's also a (minimum) six heat second half. Six heats allows for a AJL/MDL/NJL style match or when not, one of those races for non-team members, juniors or indeed a mini second half competition. I've missed the story about Cov too... Pray tell..!

And well done to the FTs on adding the National Trophy to the, er, League, KOC, Fours & Pairs... I think they call that a nap hand!

I could be wrong (it's hardly unusual!! ) but I think this year is the first year the actual second tier CHAMPIONSHIP has been decided by a Play Off (used for a number of years now in the other two divisions..). Previously the play-off scenario in the Premier was to secure that much-derided slot for the promotion-relegation tie: something now struck off as frankly it was rather pointless... Well done to Richard and his Scunny lads! And Rob's right, Rugby League for one does do that and the Young Shield for the 'League Leaders' would be a good idea.

Is it..? I thought it was at the NA..? PhilK will need to clarify!!

39 years ago this one, well in a few days time anyhow. Here's a question for you... The programme lists FOUR trophies up for grabs on the night. The Frank Varey Pioneer Trophy I know was won by Malcolm Corrandine who rode on the night for Birmingham: winning the top scorers (top two scorers from each team in semis and then a final) competition. But the other trophies were: Gordon Cox Jeweller's Trophy Arthur Fitt Trophy Watney's Trophy. Now the main event was a Four Team Tournament which panned out like this: Canterbury 19 (Les Rumsey 1; Barney Kennett 9; Graham Banks 4; Derek Cook 4; Pip Austen 1) Ipswich Juniors 31 (Mike Lanham 9; Ted Howgego 7; Trevor Jones 9; Dave Gooderham 5) Birmingham 29 (Paul Gilbert 1; Arthur Browning 8; Malcolm Corradine 9; Roger Johns 12 [M]) Rayleigh (Brian Foote 5; Bob Young 7; Tiger Beech 1; Trevor Barnwell 4) So assume one of the trophies went to the winning team of this. But which trophy? And what were the others awarded for? One could've been maybe for the two lap track record? This went to Barry Briggs in 37.2 seconds.

Must be unlikely they'll be a restaging... Unless it's put on as part of a double header NT finale at the Norfolk Arena on Wednesday...!!!!

I agree 100%. And the question also is, why on earth would Barretts WANT to advertise on this, of all, Forums..? Is this within the control of the people who run/own the site or wot..?

To be fair, the evening and night in north-east London (so one assumes in Hertfordshire too) was bloody awful : constant rain, so the decision to call off was completely correct. Not really in touch with this strange competition but how is that the Rockets now qualify for the final..? And with a whole host of these sorts of decisions being made in the past few days one hopes some lessons for the future will get learnt.. Without 'play offs' we'd have had a nice sensible end to the 2012 season; with them seems the season is ending close to farce...

Not really the case.. He DID, of course, ALWAYS win the big indiv., the Kentish Times Trophy but usually home riders managed to take some points off Tom in actual league matches...

Ah, but I won't look a gift horse in the, er, Louth..!!

Which (also after events in the top league too..) kinda makes a lie about the supposed merits of these divisional championship play offs...!

Mate, the GP has been strange from the very start! And is to these days too! Thanx for that!

I think you'll find the chips were of a West Row variety!

Wise words, oh pro one! Though the rider concerned once told me he'd travelled around that Cheshire town searching for a statue of his good self, in the knowledge he was apparently revered as a favourite son!!

Thanx. Better get that prog outta the loft and check! Perhaps I got it all wrong!!!!